Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Look" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "look", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
見返す
みかえす (mikaesu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
目を通す
めをとおす (me o tōsu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "look" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見返す and 目を通す.
In Japanese, 見返す (みかえす (mikaesu)) is typically associated with "to look back at; to give someone a look back; to get revenge/prove oneself right (often after being looked down upon)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Can mean to look back at something or someone, or more often, to prove one's worth or get back at someone who underestimated you through success..
On the other hand, 目を通す (めをとおす (me o tōsu)) maps to "to look over; to skim through; to glance over" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents An idiomatic expression meaning to read something quickly or briefly, often just to get the main points or check for obvious errors, without deep scrutiny. It's a transitive verb phrase.. A literal translation of "look" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "見返す"
彼は自分を馬鹿にした人たちを見返すために、一生懸命努力した。
He worked hard to prove himself to those who had made fun of him.
Bilingual Context for "目を通す"
会議の前に資料に目を通しておいてください。
Please glance over the materials before the meeting.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は自分を馬鹿にした人たちを ＿＿＿ ために、一生懸命努力した。" (Meaning: "He worked hard to prove himself to those who had made fun of him.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "見返す" fits here because it means "to look back at; to give someone a look back; to get revenge/prove oneself right (often after being looked down upon)" in the context of: "He worked hard to prove himself to those who had made fun of him.". "目を通す" represents "to look over; to skim through; to glance over".